Funky Friday: It’s Back to The Future at the Barcelo Milan

Welcome to Funky Friday, a new segment we’re trying out which features one photo that we think singularly expresses a hotel’s inner psyche. We look for, and often find, a lot of wacky, wild and wondrous designs that seem to have one thing in common: a Type A personality. So why not have a bit of fun as we all wrap up our week by taking a quick look at some hotels that quite frankly, want our attention.

We recently gave a rundown of contemporary hotels in Milan that demonstrate how far a hotelier will take a design to draw a guest. There was one hotel in particular on our original list, the Barceló Milan, that was just so far out—as in outer space—we had to save it for Funky Friday.

No question, the 280-room Barceló Milan takes us on a funky futuristic journey. It is a totally original concept that is carried through the entire hotel, beyond what is shown in the "beam me up" lobby. The design of this fantastic voyage is credited to award-winning firm Simone Micheli Architects, whose other hotels include the Townhouse Street Milano Duomo which is included on our modern Milan list. Such unusual and off-the-chart designs could only come from the ego of someone who refers to himself as an ”architectural hero.” Seriously?

While the photo above appears to have been shot using a wide angle lens, amplifying its galactic appearance, every aspect of this design contributes to the effect as a whole. The key features — sculptural columns, chunky molded seating, and even the lighting — are devoid of straight lines, which, when you think about it, are not typically found in virgin outer space. Pun intended.

Not sure what to make of the two white-clothed women in the lobby. Why does it look like we are about to be the subject of an experiment?